K12 Announces New Partnership with McFarland School District to Operate the Wisconsin Virtual Academy

February 5, 2009
Public Virtual Charter School to use the Nationally-Acclaimed K12 Curriculum and School Administrative Services for Students in Grades K-12

HERNDON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- K12 Inc. announced today that the McFarland School District approved a charter to authorize the Wisconsin Virtual Academy (WIVA), a K-12 statewide public virtual charter school that uses the nationally-acclaimed K12® curriculum, technology and school administrative services. The McFarland School District Board voted last night to approve a charter agreement with Four Lakes Education, Inc., which will serve as WIVA’s new governing board.

The McFarland School District is now accepting enrollments from families across the state into the Wisconsin Virtual Academy through the state’s inter-district public school open enrollment program until February 20, 2009.

The Wisconsin Virtual Academy is a successful public virtual school that uses the complete academic program and school services by K12 Inc., the nation’s leader in K-12 online public school programs. The program has a consistent record of strong academic achievement and high parent satisfaction.

K12 began serving students in Wisconsin through a partnership with Northern Ozaukee School District. Northern Ozaukee, which is developing a new virtual school program, intends to continue using the K12 curriculum for grades K-5.

“K12 is pleased to work with many education leaders in Wisconsin to provide innovative public virtual school programs for children,” said Ron Packard, Founder and CEO of K12 Inc. “Our company is dedicated to serving school administrators, teachers, parents, and students by delivering high quality education programs and excellent customer service.”

WIVA provides students across the state with the opportunity to receive a tuition-free public education with high accountability regardless of their geographic, financial, or demographic circumstances. WIVA students learn outside a traditional classroom by accessing lessons via the Internet and receiving instruction from state-licensed teachers. Students are required to meet accountability standards, including academic and attendance requirements, and participate in state assessment tests in a proctored setting.

Throughout the open enrollment period, WIVA will host free information sessions across the state for families to learn more about the school and the K12 program. The series of events include two “WIVA Education Showcases” that will take place in Milwaukee (Discovery World Museum, Feb. 13, 10:00am1:00pm) and Madison (Chazen Museum of Art, Feb. 14, 10:00am1:00pm). Families can find enrollment information and a complete list of WIVA events across the state at www.K12.com/wiva.

About K12 Inc.

K12 Inc. (NYSE: LRN), a technology-based education company, is the nation’s leading provider of proprietary curriculum and online education programs to students in grades K-12. K12 provides its curriculum and academic services to online schools, traditional classrooms, blended school programs, and directly to families. Over 55,000 students in 21 states are enrolled in online public schools that use the K12 program. K12 Inc.also operates the K12 International Academy, an accredited, diploma-granting online private school serving students worldwide.

K12’s mission is to provide any child the curriculum and tools to maximize success in life, regardless of geographic, financial, or demographic circumstances.

K12 Inc. is accredited through the Commission on International and Trans-Regional Accreditation (CITA). It is the largest national K-12 online school provider to be recognized by CITA. More information can be found at www.K12.com.

© 2009 K12Inc. K12 is a registered trademark, and the K12 logo, Unleash the xPotential and xPotential are trademarks of K12 Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Source: K12 Inc.

K12 Inc.
Jeff Kwitowski, 703-483-7281
Vice President, Public Relations
jkwitowski@k12.com
or
McFarland School District
Scott Brown, 608-838-3169
Superintendent
Scott_Brown@mcfarland.k12.wi.us